Some Memories of Growing Up
Originally, I thought I’d write about humor, but when I started by copying Webster’s dictionary definition of humor, I realized I was writing a high school essay. Finally, I gave up on the idea and decided to write a few anecdotes from my childhood. Some are funny, but others are more serious. So, the ideas are based on my personal experiences.
When I was in high school, I ran cross country for three years. Our coach was always creating new trails for us to run, and I almost always seemed to get lost. The coach nicknamed me, Daniel Boone. The humor of the situation was lost, however, when I took a wrong turn in a race for freshman. I was way out in front, got lost, and ended up in 8th place!
In middle school, I was a boy scout and eventually earned a life scout badge which is one below eagle scout. We went camping a lot, and the first time we camped, my brother, Bernie, and I shared a tent. The weather was miserable and we checked our watches every fifteen minutes waiting for morning to come. We even became so cold that we shared the same sleeping bag just to keep warm. We didn’t want to “wimp out” and tell the scoutmaster, Mr. Hill, we were struggling. The next morning, we got up and realized that everyone but us had retreated to a cabin for the night!
I thought that Mr. Hill was very worried we would report him, so the next night he went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. He was embarrassed, but he also seemed to be genuinely concerned.
I also remember some incidents that were based on cooking. Growing up, we weren’t allowed to get into the refrigerator because mom had to feed all nine of us, including seven children. One day when my mother went to the store, I decided to make an omelet with green peppers. When mom came home early, because she forgot something, I took the frying pan and hid it in the laundry room. When she smelled the eggs and peppers, then found the frying pan on the floor of the laundry room, she was really angry.
Another time, my mother was cooking a big pot of chili on the stove when my sister’s girlfriend was visiting. Throughout the day, we all kept tasting it, and by the time dinner came, the pot was almost empty. I do remember my mother was upset about that too.
Perhaps the funniest story was not based on my own experience, but was based on my brother-in-law. He and his brother were co-owners of a retail business, and they were constantly dealing with problem customers. One particular customer, however, really got to my brother-in-law. She complained every time she came to the store. Finally, he had had enough. Since he had a problem in his yard with woodchucks, he trapped a number of them and then released them in her backyard. The following spring a neighbor of the customer came into the store and remarked about the large number of groundhogs in the area! But the whole thing seemed like “poetic justice” to me.
Although my original idea for this newsletter was humor that didn’t really work, I have included a chapter from my book of original sayings, Passing Through the Dream, called “Humor Can Help.”
Humor Can Help
Some forms of humor are meant to inspire
And strengthen the mind when fears overwhelm.
The art of humor is mostly a gift,
But that doesn’t mean the layman will quit.
A joke or a smile helps others accept
The problem they face that causes them stress.
Laughing at others who have no defense
May lead to the pain of instant distress.
To raise the Spirit of one who is down
Is truly the work of Almighty God.
Sarcasm mostly makes people feel small.
Feelings get hurt when jokes hit their mark.
Sometimes the humor that helps out the most
Is laughter that comes from seeing ourselves.
Offensive humor may sometimes reveal
The mind of the person and what he believes.
Lectures and speeches are sometimes quite dull,
But humor may help to lighten the mood.
The laughter of children brings joy to the heart.
They are reminders of God and His love.
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. It means a lot to me that most of you keep reading it each week. I’d like to finish with a joke I’ve been using because of all the political issues going on right now. It goes like this: “There’s only one country worse than America, and that’s every other country!” Have a good day and I’ll see you next week.
(Please remember these are my own ideas, and I’m not attempting to persuade anyone to change theirs.)
Quotes:
Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open. James Dewar
A keen sense of humor helps us to overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerated the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable. Billy Graham
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. Will Rogers
https://www.facebook.com/writerjohnfzurn
Photos by: jesper-giortz-behrens-RpzaftQSNKU-unsplash; peter-robbins--ssYAQFBh8g-unsplash
